Leopard Sighting Triggers Panic on Tirupati’s Alipiri Walkway

A leopard was spotted on the Alipiri walkway in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati early Tuesday, causing panic among local shopkeepers and devotees. The big cat was seen near Galigupuram around 1 a.m., with CCTV footage from a nearby shop capturing its movements.

The shopkeeper promptly alerted the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) authorities. Following the sighting, TTD officials urged devotees to use the walkway in groups and restricted children under 12 from trekking as a precautionary measure.

This marks the latest in a series of leopard encounters in the area. Two weeks ago, a leopard was sighted near Muggu Bavi but retreated into the forest. Security personnel had been deployed to safeguard devotees. The Alipiri walkway, a 9-km route with 3,550 steps leading to the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala hills, is used by hundreds of pilgrims daily.

In January, another leopard was seen near Alipiri, sparking concerns among residents and visitors. Wildlife encounters have been frequent in recent months. In a tragic incident on August 11, 2023, a six-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard while trekking to Tirumala with her parents.

Another attack involved a three-year-old boy, who was rescued when pilgrims and security personnel intervened. TTD, in collaboration with the Forest Department, has intensified security measures, including surveillance through CCTV cameras and the installation of cages along the walkway.

Over the past two months, four leopards have been captured as part of these efforts. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of devotees.